What I Learned in San Francisco

Last week, I had the amazing pleasure of interviewing Tim Ferriss in Sunny San Jose California. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last month – Ferriss is the author of the New York Times Bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek. I conducted this interview for The Business Makers in my role as their “On The Road Correspondent” – and I have to tell you – it’s (in my opinion) my best interview to date. Not only is Tim one of the greatest guys I’ve ever had the privilege to meet – but he’s also a complete and total inspiration. I even got him to sign my book – he wrote: “To Erica, Here’s to changing the world one person – and one mind – at a time! To thinking big and always being unreasonable…Rock On! -Tim”.

Thinking BIG

I’d like to think that I think big everyday. After all – my crazy 5 Year Goal is to make people in San Francisco say: “Gee – I wish I lived in Houston – they’ve got Community”. And let’s be realistic – that’s a pretty big goal. Big – but not impossible.

In fact, I learned a thing or two about Community on my first trip to San Francisco. I arrived in The Bay Area on Sunday June 10th – and thanks to the generosity of Chris Heuer and Jeremiah Owyang got the chance to attend The Social Media Workshop on Monday June 11th. There I had the awesome pleasure of hanging out with Kristie Wells (definitely my future partner in crime), Shel Israel, Brian Solis, and Giovanni Rodriguez. I also finally got to meet Chris in person (which is way better than having Scoble say hi to him from me through UStream.tv).

Now Social Media Workshop is right up my alley – and I not only learned a lot – but had an amazing time observing people from different industries learn about new ways to bring Social Media back to their companies and organizations. I also loved hearing about how so many companies are already using Social Media today in big and small ways to “Start the Conversation”.

Interviewing Tim

On Tuesday – I was due in San Jose to interview Tim Ferriss. I spent most of the morning working with my developer Dominic Damian on a project for STA in a Starbucks off of Lincoln Avenue. Around noon, Tim and I met for lunch at this phenomenal quasi-cafeteria style mexican restaurant called Aqui’s. For the foodies – I ordered Thai Chicken Tacos – and they were out of this world. I’ve never had anything like it in Texas. Very California Style

After lunch Tim & I sat down outside Starbuck’s for the interview. I won’t go into to many details – because it hasn’t aired yet. I’ll only say that if you only ever listen to one interview I’ve done this year – this should be the one!

The Road To Better Networking…

After the interview – Tim and I spent some time chatting – and then I went back inside Starbuck’s to continue working with Dominic. But this is where things started to get interesting.

One of the things I really wish I could change about our community here in Houston is the way we use (or rather don’t use) Social Networking Services like Twitter, Jaiku, & Dodgeball. Okay – so we’re all on these services – but how many of you have had spontaneous encounters with folks just through the use of Twitter or Dodgeball? I’ll admit – I’ve had a couple (like hooking up with Silona & Jimmy Wales for dinner) – but they really pale in comparison to what I am about to describe to you.

So – I’m sitting at this Starbuck’s – and it’s around 5:30 when I see Bryan Veloso giving me a shoutout on Twitter. The next thing I know – he and I are having drinks and chatting about life Right after Bryan leaves I get a direct message from the world’s most huggable man – yes – I’m talking about Faruk. Turns out he’s right down the road in Cupertino – so Dominic and I end up joining him for dinner. Now for those of you who don’t know Faruk – he currently lives in the UK – so it’s kinda strange that we would meet up in a place like Cupertino. Especially considering that I live in Texas. More on the marvels of Social Networking or as I recently heard them called: iPALS – identity, presence, attention, location, streams.

Wednesday – Citizen Space

I have to admit – I’d been trying to get over to Citizen Space since Sunday – and today was finally the day it was going to happen. Of course, first I had to deal with The Rental Car debacle (but that’s a whole other post). However, once I got on BART – I had another problem. Which stop do I get off at to get to Citizen Space? Oh no – what do I do – Twitter it of course. And less than a minute later – I’d gotten an answer (It’s Montgomery for anyone planning to visit soon). Damn Twitter is SWEET.

For anyone who hasn’t already heard me gush – Tara is like totally my idol (even more so after this trip). But before I get all giddy about getting to see Tara again – let me tell you about Citizen Space. I’ve never been more productive in my life then I was that first day at Citizen Space. It’s like there was some amazing energy in the air. And the things that seemed difficult the day before – were suddenly easy. Not to mention that cool folks wandered in and out from time to time – so there was never a dull or boring moment.

I can’t even begin to stress how much Houston needs a place like this – and whether we (by “we” I mean The Method Agency) – or someone else does it – we need it. Desperately.

Back to Tara – this chick is f-ing amazing. So as many of you know – she’s currently writing a book that’s in part about Community. And the title is going to be – The Return of the Lorax (based on the Story by Dr. Seuss). I read Tara’s blog – even when I don’t have time to read anything else (which has been pretty frequently lately). I also got to sit down with Tara and interview her for the show. So far – the trip couldn’t get much better.

Wednesday Night

I met my Bestfriend April & her husband Eric for drinks at Top of the Mark. Talk about some amazing views of the city It was definitely a fantastic experience – and I encourage anyone new to San Francisco not to miss the views from this truly Romantic Spot. Foodie tip – be sure and try the Cheese Plate, if you like Brie – you’ll love Mount Tams.

The Berkeley Experience

Thursday was spent in Berkeley at Espresso Roma’s (an amazing Garden Cafe with outdoor seating and incredible Wi-Fi). Now – on Wednesday night I missed the SF Tweet-up at Osha hosted by CreativeSage. But as fate would have it – we were destined to meet. I decided to Tweet about the amazing Tomato, Basil, & Mozzerella salad I was having in Berkeley – and suddenly I got a direct message from CreativeSage (aka Catheryn Hrudicka). Turns out she not only lives in Berkeley – but was just a couple of blocks away. We had an terrific lunch – filled with intriguing conversation. And all because of a little app that let’s people answer the question: “What are you doing right now?”

At this point – the world is beginning to feel like a very small place indeed. And what’s even better – as luck would have it I was able to extend my stay. I was just learning so much – and getting so much done – I couldn’t leave yet. I think I even felt a bit of competition with the people around me. But with people like Tim Ferriss (29), Matt Mullenweg (23), and other up and coming entrepreneurs accomplishing so much – it’s hard not to get a bit of an inferiority complex.

Friday – Return to Citizen Space

Friday I returned to Citizen Space and worked there all day – in fact I think Lee finally had to kick me out From Citizen Space I went back to Berkeley – ordered take-out from Mama Lan’s (Vietnamese – known for their awesome Seafood dishes – especially anything made with Crab). Had dinner at April’s house – and then curled up in bed with my laptop for yet more work. All in all – a very productive and normal day.

Siteseeing on Saturday?

So it’s been a week and I still haven’t seen The Golden Gate Bridge. I know what you are thinking – who goes to San Francisco to spend all day working in a co-working space? Hey – don’t knock it until you try it

So – Matt joined me in SF on Friday Night – and so we go out Saturday morning and see the sites. We visit Fisherman’s Wharf, The Farmer’s Market, Chinatown, North Beach (SF’s version of Little Italy), drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and even eat at a terrible tourists trap called The Sticking Rose (and Garlic) – don’t go there. EVER.

Hanging with Scoble in HMB

Saturday night – Matt, CreativeSage, and I head out to Half Moon Bay to hang out with Scoble at the Ritz. Wow – what a place. We end up huddled around the firepit gazing out at the ocean and talking tech. Pretty much all the ingredients for a PERFECT evening. Oh – and did I mention Scoble and the Yahoo! Answers Guy Micha brought Booze

After a couple of hours – and a few drinks – Scoble invites us all back to his house for a movie. Hang on – I better repeat that – Scoble invites us to his house for a movie. HOW COOL IS THAT? The funniest part was as we were leaving The Ritz – Scoble says to the valets at the front: “I’m taking these people up to my house. I’ll bring them back later.” And what’s interesting – is the Valet guys actually seemed to care Talk about some major pull. Scoble’s got reach we don’t even know about!
Now – Scoble lives in this amazingly perfect neighborhood that is a cross between the houses on Desperate House Wives and The Stepford Wives. Yes – like not even a stone out of place. And he’s got a killer 60 inch plasma screen tv. We all sit down to watch Munich. After a couple of hours we realize this movie is much longer than we expected — and so we call it an early night – and as promised Scoble takes us back to the Ritz.

Of course – I’ve never been all that great at remembering stuff – and as Scoble is driving us back to the Ritz – I realize I’ve lost my wallet. And I’m convinced that it’s in the back of the Ritz near the firepit. So Matt, CreativeSage, and I go back to the Ritz and spend an hour or so looking for it. All the while I’m in a panic about not being able to get back to Texas because I don’t have an ID to get on the plane. We finally give up the search – and I’m an absolute mess. Good news is – it turned up – behind Scoble’s couch of all places. So I did make it back to Texas after all

Sunday – I See A California Beach

Leaving my wallet at Scoble’s means we have to return to Half Moon Bay on Sunday. Luckily April And Eric decide to take us back on there. This time we take the scenic route along Highway 1, and on the way we stop for Fish & Chips in HMB. Then back to Scoble’s – where I finally get meet his wife Maryam and introduce Scoble to my best friend since the 6th grade – April And on the way back, we stop by the beach and dip our toes in the freezing cold water. The sand feels so amazing – not like the sand at most Texas beaches.

Monday – Back to Work

Monday I had hoped to work at Citizen Space – but was engulfed by a Starbuck’s enroute. So I spent the afternoon working at a Starbuck’s that turned out to NOT have a bathroom. Totally a hassle – but I did get quite a bit done nonetheless. I’m actually starting to get a little homesick. I miss my friends – and this amazing community that I am so privileged to be a part of – and all the cool events that people are putting together and planning while I am away Just goes to show you – you can take the Girl out of Texas – but you can’t take Texas Out of the Girl.

Monday Night – Dance Like A Madwoman

One of the great things about San Francisco was the way that people opened up to me – and showed me their city. Tim Ferriss spent 6 months Tango Dancing in Buenos Aires and even holds The Guiness Book of World Record for the most Tango Spins. Another Tim – Tim Bugh – who I met through Lester Buck here in Houston – very generouly offered to take me out and show me the Tango Scene in SF (okay – technically it was Berkeley – but it still rocked). And I didn’t do too bad for a beginner – if I do say so myself. Thanks to Tim, Tim, & Lester for showing me a whole new world

Tuesday – Happy Returns

Tuesday I spent most of the day working at SFO. I’d arrived early because Matt’s flight left at 2:40 PM – and I wanted to see him off (my flight left at 6:10 PM). But when we got there – we found out his flight had been cancelled. The next thing you know – US Airways is putting him on my Continental Flight home – how awesome is that??? We arrived home around midnight – and I was so exhausted I went right to sleep.

A Call To My Community

There are things about San Francisco that I can’t duplicate here in Houston. We don’t have great public transportation, or perfect weather. We don’t have 1000’s of tech companies who are raising the bar in innovation and daring (although we do have a few). And we don’t have a co-working space, or wi-fi friendly restaurants on every block (not yet anyway).

But we do have some of the most amazing people on the planet here. Some of the smartest folks I have ever known. And we have a community – even if it is rather disjointed and hard to categorize. And we’re all on Twitter, Facebook, Jaiku, and Dodgeball – but we don’t use these tools to take our on-line relationships OFF-LINE, near as much as we should. We don’t spontaneously get together in the evenings for sushi – or on weekends to collaborate – and we should. I need that – and I know that many of you need it too! So – let’s see if we can’t bring this community even closer together. Let’s see if we can use the tools that are already available to us – to start on that road toward the kind of Community we all want and envision.

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Erica OGrady is the CXO of Peanut Butter Media. She is currently HOMELESS while working on a project called Twilight & Tea. Erica is a Writer, Adventurer, Explorer who Still Believes in Santa and Following Your Bliss -- For more information Text ERICAOGRADY to 50500

Tagged as: San Francisco, Workshops